PIKESVILLE, Md. (Feb. 06, 2010)  State troopers across Maryland report disabled vehicles have been their most frequent response call during the storm so far, as they continue to work with members of the National Guard and Natural Resources Police to respond to calls for service.

Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, has deployed more than 70 extra troopers, not normally assigned to road patrol duties, to supplement the regular patrol force during the storm. All four-wheel drive vehicles in the State Police fleet have been deployed to road patrol troopers. Members of the Maryland National Guard equipped with Humvees have been stationed at State Police barracks throughout the State. National Guard personnel are teamed up with state troopers and are providing transportation assistance in response to calls for service.

Commanders of all 22 State Police barracks are reporting disabled vehicles are their most frequent call for service. These calls are usually involving vehicles and drivers who are not equipped to travel in this type of extreme weather and are becoming stuck in the snow. Troopers are reporting that most drivers of the disabled vehicles have no important or emergency purpose for being on the highway. Disabled vehicles are causing significant problems for snow removal crews and are inhibiting the emergency response of police and fire personnel.

State Police barracks are reporting normal police calls for service are lighter than normal. Most calls are for disabled vehicles or minor collisions. The most serious crash handled by State Police as of Saturday morning remains the one that occurred on Rt. 462 at I-95 in Harford County late yesterday afternoon. A 15-year-old girl remains in critical condition following that crash that occurred when the van she was riding in ran into the back of a snow plow truck parked on the shoulder of the road.

State Police are joining Governor Martin OMalley in urging citizens not to travel for the remainder of the storm. Regular updates are being provided by the Governor and state emergency officials through local media. Maryland State Police commanders are working as part of the team at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and providing coordinated response assistance where needed.